Yamaha DTXpress/DTXplorer/DTXtreme

Hello Everyone,

I am a newbie to drums despite my well-over-40 age mark. I just got 
an original DTXpress kit, second hand, with a pedal and stool thrown 
in the bargain. I use this kit in my garage for occasional band 
practice, and for my son's band as well. My daughter likes to bang on 
the kit too. (I play guitar in our band at work but sometimes all of 
us cannot make the practice so it is useful to have a 2nd choice to 
get together during the week.)

I started reading the messages from 1999 onwards, and it is 
illuminating reading on the initial difficulties people have had. 
They are very similar to what I am experiencing (apart from my dismal 
playing ability). Bass pedal setup and sensitivity, snare trigger 
sensitivity/rejection tweaks, stick choices, not having dual-trigger 
sensors, etc. From what I gather I could actually buy upgrades with 
rim triggers if I wanted and they would fit right in. Well, for now, 
I think I am quite happy with what I got for less than 50% of a cost 
of a new kit, although the DTXplorer without the pedal and seat was 
quite close. I got hooked right away learning the backbeat 8/8. A 
major success was experienced when I got able to lift my left foot 
for the hi-hat at the end of every second bar! But I got a severe 
cramp in my right thigh. My left arm is a bit sore too, and I can't 
seem to get the snare to trigger every time I hit it.

I think I need a practice pad for when I am traveling...

I have a couple of specific questions however: 

1) When have the different generations of the DTXpress appeared on 
the market, and are we due to get an "IV" any time soon?

2) Can the original orange brain be upgraded?

3) In the event that I had another version than the original, how 
would I be able to tell? (All the manuals and the brain box 
say "DTXpress" with no version designation as far as I can tell.)

I am glad that this group exists, and I can see the tone of postings 
is good all around. I am looking forward to your respective replies!

Jyrki
from Finland